Took my 2008 MCS to the dealer for a rough ride, thinking it was possibly needing a carbon cleaning.

Turns out cyl #3 has lost compression and my choices are to take off the head and rebuild it for $5.5k or get an new engine for just over $7k. Help me oh MINI community, what do I do?

 

Any chance on finding a "good USED" motor for less...maybe from a wreck....afterall, YOUR motor is used with 60,000 miles.....Might be able to get one, installed for about HALF the prices...
And saying an entire rebuild MIGHT be premature....find out WHY you have ZERO compression first....

 

We can sell you a brand new engine with 2yr warranty for less than $4k.

 

Take it to another dealer or a Mini shop for another opinion.

My car went into limp mode three weeks ago and they found no compression with #2 cylinder. Replaced valve, head gasket, Etc. and finally Walnut blast because carbon build up was too high. Walnut blast clean up and drive like normal now.

Work was done under warranty with CPO deductible and car has 65K miles.

 

This exact same thing happened to my 07 R56. Was really pissed since the car was just shy of being under warranty.

 

Dozuki,

Are you saying you had to replace the head & valves, or was it fixed with only the walnut blasting?

 

ChefTy,

Did the dealer or MINI USA assist with the repair cost at all?

 

No sir, it was all out of my back pocket. If Way can offer a new motor for 4K then I would say go with that if theres a warranty behind it. It seems to be a common problem on these cars. When they go they go big. Not too many little issues that i had with my 07

 

My '07 (CPO) which was also at 66K had a misfire and low compression on one of the cylinders. Dealer said I needed a new engine. They asked for my maintenance records and I provided them. Came back and said the car was over revved. WTF?! Got a lawyer and MINI settled. Bought myself a JCW after.

Good luck. Way's 4K engine is a good deal. Dealer wanted me to pay half of the new engine cost + a little over 3K on labor before I took legal action.

 

so i am a little worried that my dealership doesn't know what they are doing i brought it to them after i got an engine light for reduced power and they have had it for a month now they have replaced the timing chain and did a carbon blast. then they called me and told me the turbo was seized. then they called said could get the light to go out and they were calling in an engineering. then they told me they were checking each sensor but never told me what this engineer said. now they order a dme from germany hoping that will fix it but they are not sure. do you think i should take legal action also. i am worried this bill is going to be huge and it not under warranty any more. what is your guys opinions.

2007 R56 mini cooper s hatchback manual 109,000 miles

 

Knowing your car's info would be helpful in this. Have you contacted MINI USA to get them involved? Usually the dealer will not go the extra mile on these items to involve them. Depending on how old the car is and the mileage you may or may not have a case.

Good luck.

 

Before I begin, it's not nice to hijack someone elses thread, consider starting your own before this thread grows much larger.

Unfortunately, you are a little late here. You are in control before the work begins. Now that the ball is moving it sounds like things are a bit out of control. Please take a moment to read through my dealing with dealerships original post.

As it says in the post, you should be approving each individual action after the dealership delivers you an estimate. You should never be surprised by the cost of maintenance, after the maintenance has been completed. I believe it to be a personal responsibility to let your service agent know that you require a written estimate before work begins, though, it maybe law, depending on the state you live in. Personally, I let the SA know every single time that my car comes in for service, that I require a written estimate which shall be approved by me before the work begins, even though this vehicle is under warranty until 2017. If work is done to my car without my approval, they will never see a penny out of me. I send the email prior to service drop off so that I can keep a paper trail for each service.

Open a line of communication with the management at the dealership. Showing up in person is best, a phone call is acceptable. Open a line of communication with MINI USA (as recommended above).

I am not a lawyer (most of us aren't here) and really shouldn't comment on whether you have legal footing. Feel free to contact one, good luck with that.

Hope all this helps.

 

Missed the line where it showed the car's year and mileage. With that, the above thread is accurate.

Update on my situation: MiniUSA requested a leak down test be performed before they would get involved. Authorized that service and now am waiting to hear back what the results were.

Although there's a glimmer of hope, I'm not holding my breath...Stay tuned for more.

 

I had the exact same problem over a year ago. i was also out of warranty. mini also said it was over revved to 8300RPM which isn't even possible and never happened. after trying everything they could not to fix it they ended up giving me a new engine in good will. it took them 3months to decide that. all is good now but don't trust the car. also in Australia a new engine would have cost me $20k!

 

I don't buy that it was over reved....at 6500 the rev limiter is activated ....about 118 in 4th. Tell them it started with the death rattle.